Condiment dispenser



2L, E936, L, GUMAN 2938,@41

c ONDIMENT DISFENSE R.

Filed March 25, 1955 C60/Dolci dmvd/z INVENTOR ATTORN EY Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to devices for containing and dispensing granular or powdered materials as required in the household and has for its general object the provision of a device of this character which will function more satisfactorily.

In dispensing granular condiments; such as salt or sugar, an annoying condition results from the granules or particles becoming adhered to each other due primarily to the subjection of the material to a moist atmosphere.

In View of the above, a more specific object of my invention resides in providing a condiment dispenser having a perforated top, embodying in its structure a conveniently operable closure for the top to normally exclude moisture and a breaker device operable coactively with the movement of the closure by which the lumps of the condiment material may be broken up, thereby obviating the mentioned objectionable conditions.

'I'he invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms part of the application, with the understanding however, that the improvement is capable of extended application and is not conned to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a vertical central sectional view of my condiment dispenser.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top elevational view of the device; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken on the staggered line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof, the numeral 5 indicates a suitable cylindrical container constructed of glass or bakelite, the upper end of which is provided with a threaded neck B adapted to securely receive a screw cap l. Onto the top of the screw cap 'I is secured an A-frame 8 comprising a base plate 9 and integral up-standing side walls I0, at the Vertex of which a pivot pin I is transversely arranged. The pin I I provides a rocking support for a bell crank lever I2 formed of. sheet material and comprising angularly disposed arms I3 and I4 and depending side walls I5. The arm I3 has its terminal end rolled over to form a convenient thumb grip. The free end of the arm I4 carries a segmental shaped cover I4 adapted to contact with the upper surface of the cap 'I. A leaf spring I6, being disposed and tensioned over the pivot pin II and having its free ends engaged respectively with the cap 'I and the underside of the arm I3, urges the segmental cover I4 against the cap. Integral with one of the depending walls I5 of the bell crank lever and at the periphery thereof is provided a sector crown gear II cut concentrically with the pin II.

Reference is now directed specifically to Fig. 2 wherein is more clearly illustrated the breaker mechanism of my device. A breaker frame I8 comprising radially disposed comb-like structures I9 integral therewith is rigidly attached to the underside of the cap 1 so as to be suspended within the cylindrical container 5. A breaker rotor 20 is rotationally supported by havingits respective ends journalled in the end members of the breaker frame I8. The rotor 20 comprises a centrally disposed shaft 2I onto which is secured a series of radially projecting cross arms 22 adapted to move thru the spaces of the comb-like structures I9 during movement of the rotor. rI'he upper end of the shaft 2I projects thru the top of the cap 'I and carries thereon a pinion gear 23 adapted to mesh with the crown gear I'I.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1 that a downward pressure applied to the arm I3 will cause the cover I 4 to be raised out of contact with the cap 1. Coactively with this movement the crown gear I'I swings concentrically with the pivot pin I I and being in mesh with the pinion 23 causes the rotor 20 to be revolved within the cylinder 5. The larger particles existing in the condiment material being engaged by the cross arms 22 are thereby forced between the spaces of the comb structure I9 and are thus broken up into the original granules which may be readily dispensed. In the area of the top of the cap 'I directly below the cover I 4 is cut a series of rectangular slots 24 arranged preferably in an arcuate formation and concentric with the periphery of the cap. From the bottom of the cover I4' a series of teeth 25 project, being so disposed as to engage with a wiping action into the respective slots 24. This arrangement obviates the possibility of the slots becoming clogged up by the accumulation of the moistened condiment. The ends of the teeth 2U are bevelled so as to assure their effectiveness in removing obstructions from the slots 24.

What is claimed as new is:

A condiment dispenser comprising a receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, said cover having pouring openings, a frame within said receptacle and depending from said cover, a rotatable vertical shaft j ournalled at its lower end in said frame and at its upper end in said cover, horizontal pins extending inwardly from said frame toward said shaft, horizontal pins extending outwardly from said shaft between the pins of. the frame, a pinion secured to the upper end of said shaft above said cover, a support rising from said cover, a rocking member in the form of a bell crank lever pivoted on said support, one of the arms of said lever being provided With prongs for entering and closing said pouring openings, a spring for normally holding said rocking member in closed position, said rocking member including an arcuate rack engaging said pinion, and said support including sides between which said rack and pinion are positioned.

LEOPOLD GUTMAN. 

